Women's Works

University Exhibits Paintings And Sculptures By Female Artists From Florida.

August 13, 1995|By LINDA LANDERS Special to the Sun-Sentinel

Some local female artists are painting a new horizon on the South Florida Beach County art scene.

Their creation is the first statewide chapter of the National Association of Women Artists (NAWA).

Founded in 1889 in New York City, NAWA is the nation's oldest arts organization devoted solely to the promotion of female artists.

Works by the latest torchbearers of the NAWA tradition are on display at Northwood University on Military Trail, north of Okeechobee Boulevard, in West Palm Beach.

The exhibit, which runs through Sept. 5, illustrates the talent and sophistication of female artists in Florida. Paintings, sculptures and mixed-media pieces make up the exhibit.

Although successful, these women, like their pioneering predecessors, say the local art scene still is not a pretty picture for women.

"I talked to many women artists down here about their careers and their morale was terribly low," said Liana Moonie, a past national president of NAWA. "They said there are no oppor-tunities for furthering their careers."

To paint a rosier picture, Moonie set out to create the country's first state chapter. Within a few months, Moonie and artist Madeline Weiss of West Palm Beach recruited 70 artists who qualified to become chapter members.

Building on the tradition set by pioneering members Mary Cassatt and Rosa Bonheur, today's chapter members feel NAWA is vital to their careers.

"It's always important to have more women's organizations because pretty much everything still goes to men, espec-ially in the art world," said Boca Raton painter Donna Steger-Fuller.

Like other successful painters, Steger-Fuller said the art world needs to create a bigger canvas to include all artists.

Weiss, current president of NAWA Florida, said that, up until a short time ago, women made up 50 percent of art school students, but only 3 percent of artists exhibiting in museums.

"We are serious, serious artists," she said. "We are not housewives who dabble in art. Art is our major endeavor."

"As an art historian, it is clear to me that women have historically been overlooked," said Orr-Cahall. "Visibility, both broad-based and locally, can go a long way to changing perceptions."

The current NAWA exhibit offers this kind of visibility.

"I don't see anything about these pieces that says they're by women," said Palm Beach Gardens musician Joan Einhorn, who recently toured the exhibit. "I see them as works by artists."

Pieces in the exhibit, juried by art connoisseur Bruce Helander, range from realistic to impressionistic to abstract. The works cover a spectrum of subjects including Florida landscapes, gothic imagery, native American symbols, chair sculptures, the human body and smalltown America.

Included are innovative creations such as Weiss' whimsical tubular constructions and Marion Kofman's kinetic light sculptures.

"It's very exciting because we're giving the public exposure to good art and various artists," said Kofman of Delray Beach, who also is founder of Women in the Visual Arts.

The members of NAWA Florida said they hope the exhibit will increase public awareness and professional appreciation for their work.

Visitors to the exhibit said the members already are reaching that goal.

"I think it's fantastic that women are given an opportunity like this to display their art work and range of abilities," said Nina Motta of North Palm Beach. "Their art work is tremendous."